Lyr Req: Londonderry Air

Subject: Lyr Req: Londonderry Air
From: GUEST,Ron Edwards
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 12:18 PM

Danny Boy are the words to Londonderry air that we all know
Londonderry Air was the Ulster National Anthem, I am told
does any one have the words to it as they were originaly written

Also

The Old Refrain

thanks

beanaacht de leat

ron

Subject: Lyr Add: LONDONDERRY AIR
From: Peace
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 01:27 PM

"Londonderry Air
Download Midi File
Barry Taylor

Information Lyrics
The tune was possibly composed by Rory Dall O'Cahan According to The Fireside Book of Folk Songs these were the first words set to the music. A more recent incarnation is, of course, Danny Boy. Thomas Moore also wrote lyrics to the tune. They can be found at My Gentle Harp.
For more information on the tune you can check out the PBS video Danny Boy. You can find it at the PBS Web Site.

Would God I were the tender apple blossom
That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple
For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold
While sun and shade you robe of lawn will dapple
Your robe of lawn, and you hair's spun gold.

Yea, would to God I were among the roses
That lean to kiss you as you float between
While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses
A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen.
Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
A happy daisy, in the garden path
That so your silver foot might press me going
Might press me going even unto death.

Related Links

Danny Boy

As complete a history of the song as you will find online - and maybe off - by Michael Robinson.


Lyrics From Digital Tradition Folk Song Database"


The above may be found at

www.contemplator.com/ireland/derryair.html


GOOGLE the above www address. I could not get a link to work. My apologies.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Londonderry Air
From:
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 06:20 PM

From above: Derry Air at Contemplator

However, if you search HERE at the Mudcat (using the handy Lyric Search box at the top of the page, you will get most of what can be found on the songs/tune of Danny Boy/Londonderry Air/Derry Air.

Michael Robinson's site has about as complete a history of the song, Danny Boy as you're likely to find.

But here at the Mudcat we've dealt with a lot of theory and such behind some of the other songs and such of the older tune. Essentially, we don't really know the oldest song but there are a few oldies available.